Found, Gowanus, 2009
oil, pastel and wallpaper
18 x 22 inches

Along the Way, 2008
pastel on paper
31.25x 69.25 inches

Horizontal Triptych II, 2009
oil on linen
30 x 36 inches

Book, 2008
7 layer/14 impression silk screen
25 x 33

Artist Statement
The complexity of the art world is curious, it has spawned many different artists in so many directions in the last century. Looking back I discovered that the direction I related to is “. . .free art from the burden of object.” — Kasimir Malevich. I appreciate the pure and simple aesthetic and I have always related to a spontaneous approach to painting and printmaking.

Website
http://www.artbrooklyn.com

title: relativity-6
medium: Japanese pigment/metal-leaf/sumi-ink on wood panel
dimension: h60” w24”

title: vicissitude
2009
medium: collagraph
dimension: about h24” w36”

title: relativity-twisty
2008-2009
medium: PAINTING(Japanese pigment/metal-leaf/sumi-ink on canvas)
dimension: h8” w10”

Artist Statement

I was born in 1978 and raised in Japan. After obtaining a BFA at Tama Art University in Japanese Painting Fine Arts in 2005, I moved to New York City 2007.

I have been studying Painting since I was a child under the instruction of a private teacher. During this time, I was passionate about many kinds of art, such as mixed media, printmaking, collage, sculpture and glass. More recently, as my artistic abilities have further developed, I have focused my energies on painting, printmaking and sculpture. The theme of my art is “HUMAN FEELING: emotional life.” The roots of my art lies in organic abstraction – I am fascinated by human emotions – for example, hope, sadness, confusion and love. I am also particularly interested in the relationships or connections that exist in our minds between ideas and images such as color, sound, rhythm and movement.

My artwork is based on a traditional Japanese painting method. Primarily, I work with Sumi ink, pigments and metal leaf (gold, silver, copper and aluminum). Even when working with a two-dimensional work, I strive to create rich textures, reflection and space by using many layers of ink, metal leaf and pigment thus allowing me to capture the feeling of a three-dimensional piece. As a result of this process of layering materials, I have been able to create interesting surfaces and textures. Another important aspect in my artwork is the composition of metal which creates shifting colors. The fact that metal can change color on its own as time goes by compliments the theme of my work.

Website

http://www.mariatanikawa.com/